Method and apparatus for determining conditions for non-terminated service provider network connections

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for determining conditions for non-terminated service provider network connections. The method includes receiving, at a service provider headend, upstream signals from premises. An uncorrectable metric and a correctable metric are determined from a portion of the upstream signals upon application of signal correction to the upstream signals, where the portion is related to an operating frequency range of a networking device and an operating frequency range of Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) devices. An alert is generated when the determined uncorrectable metric meets an uncorrectable threshold and the determined correctable metric is less than a correctable threshold for a persistent period of time, where the non-termination alert indicates a non-terminated pathway to a service provider central office from the premises when service is provided to the premises from a different service provider central office.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to networking. More specifically, thisdisclosure relates to noise introduced by non-terminated devices into aservice provider network.

BACKGROUND

The recent and rapidly growing market for service providers to offertriple play services drives the need for robust high-speed homenetworking technology for distributing these services throughout thehome using existing coaxial cables and telephone wiring within homes.The HomePNA Alliance (HPNA) is a non-profit industry association ofcompanies that develops and standardizes technology for home networkingover the existing coaxial cables and telephone wiring within homes. AHPNA setup would include a HPNA gateway and HPNA cards or externaladapters for each computer, device, and the like in the home. The HPNA2.0 standard uses frequencies from 4 MHz to 10 MHz and the HPNA 3.0standard uses frequencies from 4 MHz to 21 MHz.

The North American Upstream standard for Data Over Cable ServiceInterface Specification (DOCSIS) cable modems to communicate to theCable Modem Termination System (CMTS) is 5 MHz to 42 MHz. The CMTS istypically located in a service provider's central office, headend orhubsite and provides high speed data services, such as cable Internet orVoice over Internet Protocol, to service provider subscribers.

Given the frequency overlap between the HPNA and DOCSIS standards,non-terminated HPNA devices in a home cause signals to be fed back inthe upstream channels of the network and results in slower networkspeeds to subscribers that are connected to that network via a commonnode, switch, and/or the like.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for determining conditionsfor non-terminated service provider network connections. In animplementation, the method includes receiving, at a service providerheadend, upstream signals from premises. An uncorrectable metric and acorrectable metric are determined, from a portion of the upstreamsignals, based on application of signal correction to the upstreamsignals. The portion being related to an operating frequency range of anetworking device and an operating frequency range of Data Over CableService Interface Specification (DOCSIS) devices. The service providerheadend determines whether a determined uncorrectable metric meets anuncorrectable threshold and whether a determined correctable metric isless than a correctable threshold. An interference alert is set when thedetermined uncorrectable metric meets the uncorrectable threshold andthe determined correctable metric is less than the correctable thresholdfor a defined number of times overs a defined time interval. Theinterference alert indicating a non-terminated pathway to the serviceprovider headend from the premises when service is provided to thepremises from a different service provider headend.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure is best understood from the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Itis emphasized that, according to common practice, the various featuresof the drawings are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of thevarious features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example architecture of a system and a homenetwork properly terminated.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example architecture of a system and a homenetwork in a non-terminated in accordance with embodiments of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of an example upstream signal with no signalinterference.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of an example upstream signal with signalinterference.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example of a device in accordance withembodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example method for determining conditionsfor non-terminated service provider network connections in accordancewith embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example method for determining conditionsfor non-terminated service provider network connections in accordancewith embodiments of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be usedthroughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or likeparts.

As used herein, the terminology “computer” or “computing device”includes any unit, or combination of units, capable of performing anymethod, or any portion or portions thereof, disclosed herein. Forexample, the “computer” or “computing device” may include at least oneor more processor(s).

As used herein, the terminology “processor” indicates one or moreprocessors, such as one or more special purpose processors, one or moredigital signal processors, one or more microprocessors, one or morecontrollers, one or more microcontrollers, one or more applicationprocessors, one or more central processing units (CPU)s, one or moregraphics processing units (GPU)s, one or more digital signal processors(DSP)s, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASIC)s,one or more application specific standard products, one or more fieldprogrammable gate arrays, any other type or combination of integratedcircuits, one or more state machines, or any combination thereof.

As used herein, the terminology “memory” indicates any computer-usableor computer-readable medium or device that can tangibly contain, store,communicate, or transport any signal or information that may be used byor in connection with any processor. For example, a memory may be one ormore read-only memories (ROM), one or more random access memories (RAM),one or more registers, low power double data rate (LPDDR) memories, oneor more cache memories, one or more semiconductor memory devices, one ormore magnetic media, one or more optical media, one or moremagneto-optical media, or any combination thereof.

As used herein, the terminology “instructions” may include directions orexpressions for performing any method, or any portion or portionsthereof, disclosed herein, and may be realized in hardware, software, orany combination thereof. For example, instructions may be implemented asinformation, such as a computer program, stored in memory that may beexecuted by a processor to perform any of the respective methods,algorithms, aspects, or combinations thereof, as described herein.Instructions, or a portion thereof, may be implemented as a specialpurpose processor, or circuitry, that may include specialized hardwarefor carrying out any of the methods, algorithms, aspects, orcombinations thereof, as described herein. In some implementations,portions of the instructions may be distributed across multipleprocessors on a single device, on multiple devices, which maycommunicate directly or across a network such as a local area network, awide area network, the Internet, or a combination thereof.

As used herein, the term “application” refers generally to a unit ofexecutable software that implements or performs one or more functions,tasks or activities. For example, applications may perform one or morefunctions including, but not limited to, telephony, web browsers,e-commerce transactions, media players, travel scheduling andmanagement, smart home management, entertainment, and the like. The unitof executable software generally runs in a predetermined environmentand/or a processor.

As used herein, the terminology “determine” and “identify,” or anyvariations thereof includes selecting, ascertaining, computing, lookingup, receiving, determining, establishing, obtaining, or otherwiseidentifying or determining in any manner whatsoever using one or more ofthe devices and methods are shown and described herein.

As used herein, the terminology “example,” “the embodiment,”“implementation,” “aspect,” “feature,” or “element” indicates serving asan example, instance, or illustration. Unless expressly indicated, anyexample, embodiment, implementation, aspect, feature, or element isindependent of each other example, embodiment, implementation, aspect,feature, or element and may be used in combination with any otherexample, embodiment, implementation, aspect, feature, or element.

As used herein, the terminology “or” is intended to mean an inclusive“or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is unless specified otherwise,or clear from context, “X includes A or B” is intended to indicate anyof the natural inclusive permutations. That is if X includes A; Xincludes B; or X includes both A and B, then “X includes A or B” issatisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, thearticles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appendedclaims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unlessspecified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to asingular form.

Further, for simplicity of explanation, although the figures anddescriptions herein may include sequences or series of steps or stages,elements of the methods disclosed herein may occur in various orders orconcurrently. Additionally, elements of the methods disclosed herein mayoccur with other elements not explicitly presented and described herein.Furthermore, not all elements of the methods described herein may berequired to implement a method in accordance with this disclosure.Although aspects, features, and elements are described herein inparticular combinations, each aspect, feature, or element may be usedindependently or in various combinations with or without other aspects,features, and elements.

Further, the figures and descriptions provided herein may be simplifiedto illustrate aspects of the described embodiments that are relevant fora clear understanding of the herein disclosed processes, machines,manufactures, and/or compositions of matter, while eliminating for thepurpose of clarity other aspects that may be found in typical similardevices, systems, compositions and methods. Those of ordinary skill maythus recognize that other elements and/or steps may be desirable ornecessary to implement the devices, systems, compositions and methodsdescribed herein. However, because such elements and steps are wellknown in the art, and because they do not facilitate a betterunderstanding of the disclosed embodiments, a discussion of suchelements and steps may not be provided herein. However, the presentdisclosure is deemed to inherently include all such elements,variations, and modifications to the described aspects that would beknown to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art in light of thediscussion herein.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example architecture of a system 1000 whichincludes proper equipment termination. The system 1000 includes aresidential premises 1100 which was previously connected to or incommunication with (collectively “connected to”) a service providercentral office, headend, or hub 1200 (collectively “central office1200”) via a node 1250 and is now connected to a service providercentral office 1300. The service provider central office 1200 remainsconnected to residential premises 1400 and 1500 via node 1250.Residential premises are used in this description for purposes ofillustration and the description is applicable to other premises such asoffices, buildings, commercial premises, and the like without departingfrom the scope of the specification and/or claims. The connectionsdescribed herein use a variety of wired and/or wireless techniques.

The service provider central office 1200 and service provider centraloffice 1300 each may include servers, switches, transceivers, opticalline terminal, and other equipment configured to transmit or streamdownstream signals including data, content, and commands (collectively“data”) to a residential premises and receive upstream signals includingdata from the residential premises. The service provider central office1200 and service provider central office 1300 are typically connected toresidential premises via customer premises equipment (CPE) as describedherein.

The node 1250 can be service provider equipment including switches,repeaters, routers, and the like which bidirectionally communicates databetween the service provider central office 1200 and connectedresidential premises such as residential premises 1400 and 1500.

The residential premises 1400 and 1500 include subscriber devices 1425and 1525, respectively, and CPE 1450 and 1550, respectively. Thesubscriber devices 1425 and 1525 may be any type of device which maycommunicate via the CPE 1450 and 1550, respectively, including, but notlimited to, televisions, phones, computers, smart devices, and the like.The CPE 1450 and 1550 may be any terminal and associated equipmentlocated at a subscriber's premises or the residential premises andconnected with the service provider's network, e.g., the serviceprovider central office. The CPE 1450 and 1550 can include, but is notlimited to, routers, network switches, residential gateways (RG),set-top boxes, fixed mobile convergence products, home networkingadapters, Internet access gateways, and the like.

The residential premises 1100 may include a subscriber device 1110connected to a CPE 1120, which in turn is connected to the serviceprovider central office 1300. The connections may be implemented using,for example, telephone lines 1115 and 1125. The service provider centraloffice 1300 is further connected to a HPNA gateway 1130 via a telephoneline 1133. The HPNA gateway 1130 is connected to a HPNA adapter 1140 viaa telephone line 1135. The HPNA adapter 1140 is connected to asubscriber device 1150 via an Ethernet cable 1145, for example. The HPNAgateway 1130 is also connected to a splitter 1160 via a coaxial cable1137. The splitter 1160 is connected to subscriber devices 1170 and 1180via coaxial cables 1163 and 1165, respectively.

The residential premises 1100, 1400, and 1500, the service providercentral office 1200, the service provider central office 1300, the node1250, the CPEs 1425, 1525, and 1120, the subscriber devices 1450, 1550,1110, 1150, 1170 and 1180, and the splitter 1160 may include otherelements which may be desirable or necessary to implement the devices,systems, compositions and methods described herein. However, becausesuch elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they donot facilitate a better understanding of the disclosed embodiments, adiscussion of such elements and steps may not be provided herein.

Operationally, the residential premises 1100 was initially connected tothe service provider central office 1200 via the splitter 1160 or likedevice. The service provider central office 1200 would have providedservice to subscriber devices 1170 and 1180 directly and to subscriberdevice 1150 via the HPNA gateway 1130 and HPNA adapter 1140. Whenchanging from the service provider central office 1200 to the serviceprovider central office 1300, the splitter 1160 is terminated so thatthere is no pathway to the service provider central office 1200 via thesplitter 1160. FIG. 3 is a photograph of an example upstream signal 3000with no signal interference. The upstream signal 3000 has, for example,a multi-mesa waveform. In an implementation, the upstream signal 3000has a four mesa structure which includes a first mesa 3100 beginning atapproximately 19 MHz, a second mesa 3200 beginning at approximately 24MHz, a third mesa 3300 beginning at approximately 30 MHz, and a fourthmesa 3400 beginning at approximately 37 MHz.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example architecture of a system 2000 whichincludes improper equipment termination. The system 2000 includes aresidential premises 2100 which was previously connected to or incommunication with (collectively “connected to”) a service providercentral office, headend, or hub 2200 (collectively “central office2200”) via a node 2250 and is now connected to a service providercentral office 2300. The service provider central office 2200 remainsconnected to residential premises 2400 and 2500 via node 2250.Residential premises are used in this description for purposes ofillustration and the description is applicable to other premises such asoffices, buildings, commercial premises, and the like without departingfrom the scope of the specification and/or claims. The connectionsdescribed herein use a variety of wired and/or wireless techniques.

The service provider central office 2200 and service provider centraloffice 2300 each may include servers, switches, transceivers, opticalline terminal, and other equipment configured to transmit or streamdownstream signals including data, content, and commands (collectively“data”) to a residential premises and receive upstream signals includingdata from the residential premises. The service provider central office2200 and service provider central office 2300 are typically connected toresidential premises via customer premises equipment (CPE) as describedherein.

The service provider central office 2200 includes a receiver 2210, ananalyzer 2220, and an alert notification unit 2230. In animplementation, the analyzer 2220 and the alert notification unit 2230may be an integrated server or element. The receiver 2210 can receiveupstream signals from devices including, for example, the subscriberdevices 2450, 2550, 2110, 2150, 2170 and 2180. The analyzer 2220 mayanalyze the upstream signal or waveform and determine signalcharacteristics including, for example, level of uncorrectable FEC,correctable FEC, and like characteristics. In an implementation, theanalyzer 2220 may generate an alert in the presence of signalinterference which matches defined criteria. The alert notification unit2230 provides a visual, audible, or combination thereof indicationresponsive to an alert determined by the analyzer 2220.

The node 2250 can be service provider equipment including switches,repeaters, routers, and the like which bidirectionally communicates databetween the service provider central office 2200 and connectedresidential premises such as residential premises 2400 and 1500.

The residential premises 2400 and 2500 include subscriber devices 2425and 2525, respectively, and CPE 2450 and 2550, respectively. Thesubscriber devices 2425 and 2525 may be any type of device which maycommunicate via the CPE 2450 and 2550, respectively, including, but notlimited to, televisions, phones, computers, smart devices, and the like.The CPE 2450 and 2550 may be any terminal and associated equipmentlocated at a subscriber's premises or the residential premises andconnected with the service provider's network, e.g., the serviceprovider central office. The CPE 2450 and 2550 can include, but is notlimited to, routers, network switches, residential gateways (RG),set-top boxes, fixed mobile convergence products, home networkingadapters, Internet access gateways, and the like.

The residential premises 2100 may include a subscriber device 2110connected to a CPE 2120, which in turn is connected to the serviceprovider central office 2300. The connections may be implemented using,for example, telephone lines 2115 and 2125. The service provider centraloffice 2300 is further connected to a HPNA gateway 2130 via a telephoneline 2133. The HPNA gateway 2130 is connected to a HPNA adapter 2140 viaa telephone line 2135. The HPNA adapter 2140 is connected to asubscriber device 2150 via an Ethernet cable 2145, for example. The HPNAgateway 2130 is also connected to a splitter 2160 via a coaxial cable2137. The splitter 2160 is connected to subscriber devices 2170 and 2180via coaxial cables 2163 and 2165, respectively.

The residential premises 2100, 2400, and 2500, the service providercentral office 2200, the service provider central office 2300, the node2250, the CPEs 2425, 2525, and 2120, the subscriber devices 2450, 2550,2110, 2150, 2170 and 2180, and the splitter 2160 may include otherelements which may be desirable or necessary to implement the devices,systems, compositions and methods described herein. However, becausesuch elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they donot facilitate a better understanding of the disclosed embodiments, adiscussion of such elements and steps may not be provided herein.

Operationally, the residential premises 2100 was initially connected tothe service provider central office 2200 via the splitter 2160 or likedevice. The service provider central office 2200 would have providedservice to subscriber devices 2170 and 2180 directly and to subscriberdevice 2150 via the HPNA gateway 2130 and HPNA adapter 2140. Whenchanging from the service provider central office 2200 to the serviceprovider central office 2300, the splitter 2160 is not terminated sothat there is a pathway to the service provider central office 2200 viathe splitter 2160 and the node 2250.

In this instance, the HPNA gateway 2130 and/or HPNA adapter 2140 mayback feed signals to the network of the service provider associated withthe service provider central office 2200. As noted, the operationalfrequencies of the HPNA gateway 2130 and/or HPNA adapter 2140 are 4 MHzto 21 MHz and the DOCSIS devices are from 5 MHz to 42 MHz. Thenon-terminated or improperly terminated splitter 2160 creates signalinterference between the HPNA gateway 2130 and/or HPNA adapter 2140 andthe upstream DOCSIS cable modem traffic causing high UncorrectableForward Error Correction (FEC) errors. This affects all customers thatare connected to the same node(s) in the network. This noise causes slowintermittent speed to customers using high speed internet a need for analarm or alert arose.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of an example upstream signal 4000 with signalinterference. The upstream signal 4000 has, for example, a multi-mesawaveform. In an implementation, the upstream signal 4000 has a four mesastructure which includes a first mesa 4100 beginning at approximately 19MHz, a second mesa 4200 beginning at approximately 17 MHz, a third mesa4300 beginning at approximately 27 MHz, and a fourth mesa 4400 beginningat approximately 33 MHz. However, in this instance, the upstream signal4000 prior to and at the first mesa 4100 shows the presence of signalinterference 4500 from the HPNA gateway 2130 and HPNA adapter 2140 viathe unterminated splitter 2160. Although the HPNA signal interference isprimarily indicated at or near the first mesa 4100, signal interferencemay be indicated in the other mesas of the upstream signal 4000.

The analyzer 2220 determines the percentage of uncorrectable FEC errorsand the percentage of correctable FEC errors. If the percentage ofuncorrectable FEC errors meets or exceeds a correctable definedthreshold and the percentage of correctable FEC errors is less than anuncorrectable defined threshold, then the analyzer 2220 checks if theHPNA signal interference occurs over a defined timeframe. The analyzer2220 checks for HPNA signal interference persistency by polling theupstream signal at defined intervals during the defined timeframe. Analert is generated if the percentage of uncorrectable FEC errors meetsor exceeds the correctable defined threshold and the percentage ofcorrectable FEC errors is less than the uncorrectable defined thresholdfor each polling event. The alert notification unit 2230 indicates thealert as appropriate. A corrective measure or action is then undertakento correct the unterminated device at the indicated residential premisesor the like.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example of a device 5000 in accordancewith embodiments of this disclosure. The device 5000 may include, but isnot limited to, a processor 5100, a memory/storage 5200, a communicationinterface 5300, and applications 5400. The device 5000 may include orimplement, for example, the service provider central office 2200, theservice provider central office 2300, the receiver 2210, the analyzer2220, the alert notification unit 2230, the node 2250, the CPEs 2425,2525, and 2120, the subscriber devices 2450, 2550, 2110, 2150, 2170 and2180, the splitter 2160, the service provider central office 1200, theservice provider central office 1300, the node 1250, the CPEs 1425,1525, and 1120, the subscriber devices 1450, 1550, 1110, 1150, 1170 and1180, and the splitter 1160. In an implementation, the memory/storage3200 may store the output of the analyzer 2220. The methods fordetermining conditions for non-terminated service provider networkconnections described herein may be stored in the memory/storage 5200and executed by the processor 5100 in cooperation with thememory/storage 5200, the communications interface 5300, and applications5400, as appropriate. The device 5000 may include other elements whichmay be desirable or necessary to implement the devices, systems,compositions and methods described herein. However, because suchelements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do notfacilitate a better understanding of the disclosed embodiments, adiscussion of such elements and steps may not be provided herein.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example method 6000 for determiningconditions for non-terminated service provider network connections inaccordance with embodiments of this disclosure. The method 6000includes: receiving 6100 upstream signals; applying 6200 signalcorrection; determining 6300 uncorrectable and correctable percentages;checking 6400 whether determined uncorrectable percentage meets anuncorrectable threshold; checking 6500 whether determined correctablepercentage meets a correctable threshold; checking 6600 whether theuncorrectable threshold and the correctable threshold meets a temporalthreshold; and setting 6700 an interference alert. For example, thetechnique 6000 may be implemented, as applicable and appropriate, by theservice provider central office 2200, the service provider centraloffice 2300, the receiver 2210, the analyzer 2220, the alertnotification unit 2230, the node 2250, the CPEs 2425, 2525, and 2120,the subscriber devices 2450, 2550, 2110, 2150, 2170 and 2180, thesplitter 2160, the service provider central office 1200, the serviceprovider central office 1300, the node 1250, the CPEs 1425, 1525, and1120, the subscriber devices 1450, 1550, 1110, 1150, 1170 and 1180, andthe splitter 1160.

The method 6000 includes receiving 6100 upstream signals. A serviceprovider central office and receiver receive upstream signals fromconnected premises. The upstream signals can include data, control,content, and the like (collectively “data”). In an implementation,digital signal processing techniques including digital signal correctiontechniques can be applied to the upstream signals to enhance datareliability. In an implementation, forward error correction (FEC) can beused to introduce redundant data in the upstream signals prior to datatransmission. FEC provides the receiver with the ability to correcterrors without a reverse channel to request the retransmission of data.

The method 6000 includes applying 6200 signal correction. Digital signalcorrection techniques are applied by the receiver to the upstream signalto attempt to correct any errors that may have occurred due to signalinterference, noisy channel conditions, and the like.

The method 6000 includes determining 6300 uncorrectable and correctablepercentages. An analyzer at the service provider central office countsthe number of bits successfully corrected and the number of bitsunsuccessfully corrected in a frequency or wavelength portion of theupstream signal. In an implementation, the portion is or is proximate toan operating frequency range of HPNA devices. In an implementation, theportion is proximate to 17 MHz. In an implementation, the portion isproximate to 19 MHz. In an implementation, the portion is proximate toan operating frequency range of DOCSIS devices. In an implementation,the portion is proximate to operating frequency ranges of the HPNAdevices and the DOCSIS devices. The analyzer determines a metric basedon the correctable count and the uncorrectable count. In animplementation, the metric is percentage. For example, the number ofcorrectable bits is divided by the total number of bits being analyzed.

The method 6000 includes checking 6400 whether determined uncorrectablepercentage meets an uncorrectable threshold. The analyzer determines ifthe determined uncorrectable percentage meets or exceeds theuncorrectable threshold. In an implementation, the uncorrectablethreshold is 1.99% when the metric is percentage based. In animplementation, no alert is provided if the uncorrectable percentage isbelow the uncorrectable threshold.

The method 6000 includes checking 6500 whether determined correctablepercentage meets a correctable threshold. When the uncorrectablepercentage meets or exceeds the uncorrectable threshold, the analyzerchecks if the determined correctable percentage is below or less thanthe correctable threshold. In an implementation, the correctablethreshold is 1.00% when the metric is percentage based. In animplementation, no alert is provided if the correctable percentage isabove the correctable threshold.

The method 6000 includes checking 6600 whether the uncorrectablethreshold and the correctable threshold meets a temporal threshold. Whenthe uncorrectable percentage meets or exceeds the uncorrectablethreshold and the correctable percentage is less than the correctablethreshold, then the analyzer confirms temporal persistency of theuncorrectable percentage and the correctable percentage. In animplementation, the temporal persistency is determined by polling theupstream signal a defined number of times over a defined time interval(collectively “temporal threshold”) to differentiate betweennon-terminated equipment signal interference and noise. In animplementation, the temporal threshold is polling 9 times over a 45minute time interval. In an implementation, the temporal threshold ispolling 12 times over a 60 minute time interval to increase reliabilityand accuracy. In an implementation, the temporal threshold is variablein terms of number of polling events and length of time interval. In animplementation, the temporal threshold is configurable in terms ofnumber of polling events and length of time interval.

The method 6000 includes setting 6700 an interference alert. An alert isgiven or initiated when the uncorrectable percentage meets or exceedsthe uncorrectable threshold and the correctable threshold is below orless than the correctable threshold for each poll during the timeinterval (i.e. meets the temporal threshold). The alert may be audible,visual, combinations thereof, and the like. A corrective action is takenwith respect to the non-terminated equipment after an alert isinitiated.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example method 7000 for determiningconditions for non-terminated service provider network connections inaccordance with embodiments of this disclosure. The method 7000includes: receiving 7100 upstream signals; applying 7200 signalcorrection; determining 7300 uncorrectable and correctable metrics;checking 7400 whether determined uncorrectable metric meets anuncorrectable threshold; resetting 7500 counter; checking 7600 whetherdetermined correctable metric meets a correctable threshold;incrementing 7700 a counter; checking 7800 if counter meets counterthreshold; waiting 7900 for next signal analysis; and setting 8000 analarm. For example, the technique 7000 may be implemented, as applicableand appropriate, by the service provider central office 2200, theservice provider central office 2300, the receiver 2210, the analyzer2220, the alert notification unit 2230, the node 2250, the CPEs 2425,2525, and 2120, the subscriber devices 2450, 2550, 2110, 2150, 2170 and2180, the splitter 2160, the service provider central office 1200, theservice provider central office 1300, the node 1250, the CPEs 1425,1525, and 1120, the subscriber devices 1450, 1550, 1110, 1150, 1170 and1180, and the splitter 1160.

The method 7000 includes receiving 7100 upstream signals. A serviceprovider central office and receiver receive upstream signals fromconnected premises. The upstream signals can include data, control,content, and the like (collectively “data”). In an implementation,digital signal processing techniques including digital signal correctiontechniques can be applied to the upstream signals to enhance datareliability. In an implementation, forward error correction (FEC) can beused to introduce redundant data in the upstream signals prior to datatransmission. FEC provides the receiver with the ability to correcterrors without a reverse channel to request the retransmission of data.

The method 7000 includes applying 7200 signal correction. Digital signalcorrection techniques are applied by the receiver to the upstream signalto attempt to correct any errors that may have occurred due to signalinterference, noisy channel conditions, and the like.

The method 7000 includes determining 7300 uncorrectable and correctablemetrics. An analyzer at the service provider central office counts thenumber of bits successfully corrected and the number of bitsunsuccessfully corrected in a frequency or wavelength portion of theupstream signal. In an implementation, the portion is or is proximate toan operating frequency range of HPNA devices. In an implementation, theportion is proximate to 17 MHz. In an implementation, the portion isproximate to 19 MHz. In an implementation, the portion is proximate toan operating frequency range of DOCSIS devices. In an implementation,the portion is proximate to operating frequency ranges of the HPNAdevices and the DOCSIS devices. The analyzer determines a metric basedon the correctable count and the uncorrectable count. In animplementation, the metric is percentage. For example, the number ofcorrectable bits is divided by the total number of bits being analyzed.

The method 7000 includes checking 7400 whether determined uncorrectablemetric meets an uncorrectable threshold. The analyzer determines if thedetermined uncorrectable metric meets or exceeds the uncorrectablethreshold. In an implementation, the uncorrectable threshold is 1.99%when the metric is percentage based.

The method 7000 includes resetting 7500 a persistency counter. In theevent that the uncorrectable percentage is below the uncorrectablethreshold, a persistency counter may be reset. The persistency countermay be used to ensure that it is signal interference as opposed tonoise, which may be intermittent. In an implementation, no alert isprovided if the uncorrectable percentage is below the uncorrectablethreshold.

The method 7000 includes checking 7600 whether determined correctablemetric meets a correctable threshold. When the uncorrectable percentagemeets or exceeds the uncorrectable threshold, the analyzer checks if thedetermined correctable percentage is below or less than the correctablethreshold. In an implementation, the correctable threshold is 1.00% whenthe metric is percentage based. In an implementation, the persistencycounter is reset and no alert is provided if the correctable percentageis above the correctable threshold.

The method 7000 includes incrementing 7700 a counter. When theuncorrectable percentage meets or exceeds the uncorrectable thresholdand the correctable threshold is below or less than the correctablethreshold, then the persistency counter is incremented.

The method 7000 includes checking 7800 if the persistency counter meetsa counter threshold. In an implementation, the persistency counter isvariable in terms of number of polling events. In an implementation, thepersistency counter is configurable in terms of number of pollingevents.

The method 7000 includes waiting 7900 for next signal analysis. Theanalyzer waits for a next polling interval when the persistency counteris below the counter threshold. In an implementation, the pollinginterval is variable. In an implementation, the polling interval isconfigurable.

The method 7000 includes setting 8000 an alarm. An alert is given orinitiated when the persistency counter meets the counter threshold. Thealert may be audible, visual, combinations thereof, and the like. Acorrective action is taken with respect to the non-terminated equipmentafter an alert is initiated.

In general, a method for determining conditions for non-terminatedservice provider network connections includes receiving, at a serviceprovider headend, upstream signals from premises, determining from aportion of the upstream signals, by the service provider headend, anuncorrectable metric based on application of signal correction to theupstream signals, the portion related to an operating frequency range ofa networking device and an operating frequency range of Data Over CableService Interface Specification (DOCSIS) devices, determining, by theservice provider headend, from the portion of the upstream signals, bythe service provider headend, a correctable metric based on applicationof signal correction to the upstream signals, checking, by the serviceprovider headend, whether a determined uncorrectable metric meets anuncorrectable threshold, checking, by the service provider headend,whether a determined correctable metric is less than a correctablethreshold, and setting, by the service provider headend, an interferencealert when the determined uncorrectable metric meets the uncorrectablethreshold and the determined correctable metric is less than thecorrectable threshold for a temporal threshold, the interference alertindicating a non-terminated pathway to the service provider headend fromthe premises. In an implementation, the signal correction is forwarderror correction. In an implementation, uncorrectable metricdetermination further includes counting a number of uncorrectable errorsin the portion of the upstream signals and determining the uncorrectablemetric from the number of uncorrectable errors. In an implementation,correctable metric determination further includes counting a number ofcorrectable errors in the portion of the upstream signals anddetermining the correctable metric from the number of correctableerrors. In an implementation, the uncorrectable metric and thecorrectable metric are each percentages. In an implementation, thetemporal threshold is determined by polling the portion of the upstreamsignals at a defined polling interval over a defined time interval anddetermining whether the determined uncorrectable metric meets theuncorrectable threshold and the determined correctable metric is lessthan a correctable threshold for each polling event. In animplementation, the method further includes incrementing a counter eachtime the determined uncorrectable metric meets the uncorrectablethreshold and the determined correctable metric is less than acorrectable threshold, wherein the setting occurs when the counter meetsa defined counter threshold. In an implementation, the interferencealert is at least one of an audio alert or a visual alert.

In general, a method for determining non-terminated service providerconnections includes receiving, at a headend receiver, upstreamcommunications from premises, determining from a defined frequency rangeof the upstream communications, by an analyzer unit, an uncorrectablepercentage from error correction processing of the upstreamcommunications, the defined frequency range being related to a Data OverCable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) operating frequencyrange, determining from the frequency range of the upstreamcommunications, by the analyzer unit, a correctable percentage from theerror correction processing of the upstream communications, setting, bythe analyzer unit, a non-termination alert when the determineduncorrectable percentage meets an uncorrectable threshold and thedetermined correctable percentage is less than a correctable thresholdfor a defined number of times over a defined time interval, wherein thenon-termination alert indicates a non-terminated pathway to a serviceprovider central office from the premises, and providing, by an alertnotification unit, the non-termination alert to initiate correctiveactions. In an implementation, the error correction is forward errorcorrection. In an implementation, uncorrectable percentage determinationfurther includes counting a number of uncorrectable errors in thedefined frequency range of the upstream communications and determiningthe uncorrectable percentage from the number of uncorrectable errors. Inan implementation, correctable percentage determination further includescounting a number of correctable errors in the defined frequency rangeof the upstream communications and determining the correctablepercentage from the number of correctable errors. In an implementation,the method further includes polling at the defined frequency range ofthe upstream communications at a defined polling interval, determiningwhether the determined uncorrectable percentage meets the uncorrectablethreshold and the determined correctable percentage is less than acorrectable threshold for each polling event, incrementing a persistencycounter each time the determined uncorrectable percentage meets theuncorrectable threshold and the determined correctable percentage isless than a correctable threshold, and resetting the persistency counterwhen the determined uncorrectable percentage is less than theuncorrectable threshold or when the determined correctable percentage isnot less than a correctable threshold, where the setting occurs when thepersistency counter meets the defined number of times. In animplementation, the interference alert is at least one of an audio alertor a visual alert.

In general, a service provider system includes an upstream receiverconfigured to receive upstream signals from premises and a processor incommunication with the upstream receiver. The processer configured todetermine from a portion of the upstream signals an uncorrectable metricbased on signal correction processing of the upstream signals, theportion related to an overlap frequency range between a premisesnetworking device and Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification(DOCSIS) devices, determine from the portion of the upstream signals acorrectable metric based on signal correction processing of the upstreamsignals, and generate a non-termination alert when the determineduncorrectable metric meets an uncorrectable threshold and the determinedcorrectable metric is less than a correctable threshold for a persistentperiod of time, wherein the non-termination alert indicates anon-terminated pathway to a service provider central office from thepremises when service is provided to the premises from a differentservice provider central office. In an implementation, the processorfurther configured to count a number of uncorrectable errors in theportion of the upstream signals, determine the uncorrectable metric fromthe number of uncorrectable errors, count a number of correctable errorsin the portion of the upstream signals, and determine the correctablemetric from the number of correctable errors. In an implementation, theuncorrectable metric and the correctable metric are each percentages. Inan implementation, the processor further configured to poll the portionof the upstream signals at defined intervals over the persistent periodof time, determine whether the determined uncorrectable metric meets theuncorrectable threshold and the determined correctable metric is lessthan a correctable threshold for each polling event, and increment acounter each time the determined uncorrectable metric meets theuncorrectable threshold and the determined correctable metric is lessthan a correctable threshold, where non-termination alert generationoccurs when the counter meets a defined threshold. In an implementation,the processor further configured to reset the counter when thedetermined uncorrectable metric is less than the uncorrectable thresholdor when the determined correctable metric is not less than a correctablethreshold. In an implementation, the non-termination alert is at leastone of an audio alert or a visual alert.

Although some embodiments herein refer to methods, it will beappreciated by one skilled in the art that they may also be embodied asa system or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of thepresent invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment,an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software,micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardwareaspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “processor,”“device,” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention maytake the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more thecomputer readable mediums having the computer readable program codeembodied thereon. Any combination of one or more computer readablemediums may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computerreadable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computerreadable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combinationof the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of thecomputer-readable storage medium include the following: an electricalconnection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, ahard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), anerasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), anoptical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), anoptical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitablecombination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, acomputer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that cancontain, or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electromagnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to CDs, DVDs,wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitablecombination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions.

These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer orother programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also bestored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, otherprogrammable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function ina particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computerreadable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructionswhich implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with certainembodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to belimited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intendedto cover various modifications, combinations, and equivalentarrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, whichscope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompassall such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted underthe law.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for determining conditions fornon-terminated service provider network connections, the methodcomprising: receiving, at a service provider headend, upstream signalsfrom premises; determining from a portion of the upstream signals, bythe service provider headend, an uncorrectable metric based onapplication of signal correction to the upstream signals, the portionrelated to an operating frequency range of a networking device and anoperating frequency range of Data Over Cable Service InterfaceSpecification (DOCSIS) devices; determining, by the service providerheadend, from the portion of the upstream signals, a correctable metricbased on application of signal correction to the upstream signals;checking, by the service provider headend, whether a determineduncorrectable metric meets an uncorrectable threshold; checking, by theservice provider headend, whether a determined correctable metric isless than a correctable threshold; and setting, by the service providerheadend, an interference alert when the determined uncorrectable metricmeets the uncorrectable threshold and the determined correctable metricis less than the correctable threshold for a temporal threshold, theinterference alert indicating a non-terminated pathway to the serviceprovider headend from the premises, wherein the non-terminated pathwayindicates a presence of a non-terminated device in or at the premises.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal correction is forward errorcorrection.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein uncorrectable metricdetermination further comprises: counting a number of uncorrectableerrors in the portion of the upstream signals; and determining theuncorrectable metric from the number of uncorrectable errors.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein correctable metric determination furthercomprises: counting a number of correctable errors in the portion of theupstream signals; and determining the correctable metric from the numberof correctable errors.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein theuncorrectable metric and the correctable metric are each percentages. 6.The method of claim 4, wherein the temporal threshold is determined by:polling the portion of the upstream signals at a defined pollinginterval over a defined time interval; and determining whether thedetermined uncorrectable metric meets the uncorrectable threshold andthe determined correctable metric is less than a correctable thresholdfor each polling event.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:incrementing a counter each time the determined uncorrectable metricmeets the uncorrectable threshold and the determined correctable metricis less than a correctable threshold, wherein the setting occurs whenthe counter meets a defined counter threshold.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein the interference alert is at least one of an audio alert or avisual alert.
 9. A method for determining non-terminated serviceprovider connections, the method comprising: receiving, at a headendreceiver, upstream communications from premises; determining from adefined frequency range of the upstream communications, by an analyzerunit, an uncorrectable percentage from error correction processing ofthe upstream communications, the defined frequency range being relatedto a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) operatingfrequency range; determining from the frequency range of the upstreamcommunications, by the analyzer unit, a correctable percentage from theerror correction processing of the upstream communications; setting, bythe analyzer unit, a non-termination alert when the determineduncorrectable percentage meets an uncorrectable threshold and thedetermined correctable percentage is less than a correctable thresholdfor a defined number of times over a defined time interval, wherein thenon-termination alert indicates a non-terminated pathway to a serviceprovider central office from the premises, the non-terminated pathwayindicative of a presence of a non-terminated device in or at thepremises; and providing, by an alert notification unit, thenon-termination alert to initiate corrective actions.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the error correction is forward error correction. 11.The method of claim 9, wherein uncorrectable percentage determinationfurther comprises: counting a number of uncorrectable errors in thedefined frequency range of the upstream communications; and determiningthe uncorrectable percentage from the number of uncorrectable errors.12. The method of claim 11, wherein correctable percentage determinationfurther comprises: counting a number of correctable errors in thedefined frequency range of the upstream communications; and determiningthe correctable percentage from the number of correctable errors. 13.The method of claim 12, further comprising: polling at the definedfrequency range of the upstream communications at a defined pollinginterval; determining whether the determined uncorrectable percentagemeets the uncorrectable threshold and the determined correctablepercentage is less than a correctable threshold for each polling event;incrementing a persistency counter each time the determineduncorrectable percentage meets the uncorrectable threshold and thedetermined correctable percentage is less than a correctable threshold;and resetting the persistency counter when the determined uncorrectablepercentage is less than the uncorrectable threshold or when thedetermined correctable percentage is not less than a correctablethreshold, wherein the setting occurs when the persistency counter meetsthe defined number of times.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein theinterference alert is at least one of an audio alert or a visual alert.15. A service provider system comprising: an upstream receiverconfigured to receive upstream signals from premises; and a processor incommunication with the upstream receiver, the processer configured to:determine from a portion of the upstream signals an uncorrectable metricbased on signal correction processing of the upstream signals, theportion related to an overlap frequency range between a premisesnetworking device and Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification(DOCSIS) devices; determine from the portion of the upstream signals acorrectable metric based on signal correction processing of the upstreamsignals; and generate a non-termination alert when the determineduncorrectable metric meets an uncorrectable threshold and the determinedcorrectable metric is less than a correctable threshold for a persistentperiod of time, wherein the non-termination alert indicates anon-terminated pathway to a service provider central office from thepremises when service is provided to the premises from a differentservice provider central office, the non-terminated pathway indicativeof a presence of a non-terminated device in or at the premises.
 16. Theservice provider system of claim 15, the processor further configuredto: count a number of uncorrectable errors in the portion of theupstream signals; determine the uncorrectable metric from the number ofuncorrectable errors; count a number of correctable errors in theportion of the upstream signals; and determine the correctable metricfrom the number of correctable errors.
 17. The service provider systemof claim 16, wherein the uncorrectable metric and the correctable metricare each percentages.
 18. The service provider system of claim 16, theprocessor further configured to: poll the portion of the upstreamsignals at defined intervals over the persistent period of time;determine whether the determined uncorrectable metric meets theuncorrectable threshold and the determined correctable metric is lessthan a correctable threshold for each polling event; and increment acounter each time the determined uncorrectable metric meets theuncorrectable threshold and the determined correctable metric is lessthan a correctable threshold, wherein non-termination alert generationoccurs when the counter meets a defined threshold.
 19. The serviceprovider system of claim 18, the processor further configured to: resetthe counter when the determined uncorrectable metric is less than theuncorrectable threshold or when the determined correctable metric is notless than a correctable threshold.
 20. The service provider system ofclaim 16, wherein the non-termination alert is at least one of an audioalert or a visual alert.